The life and times of Ricky Ponting

Ricky Ponting has built a reputation as one of the best batsmen ever.

After making his Test debut against Sri Lanka in Perth, Ricky Ponting smashes a six during day two of the second Test of the series in Melbourne in December 1995.Photo: Vince Caligiuri

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Batting during the first Test at the Gabba against the West Indies in November 1996. He scored 88 but then struggled for runs and by the time the team headed to Melbourne for the Boxing Day Test, the 22-year-old was out of the team.Photo: Jack Atley

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On his way back ... Ponting on his way to practice at the SCG in March 1997. "I've got to get back to first-class cricket, get a truckload of runs and get myself back up to the top of that queue," he said after his demotion.Photo: Craig Golding

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Back to basics - Ponting in the nets at the SCG in March 1997 after being dropped from the Australia team.Photo: Craig Golding

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In the nets at the SCG in March 1997.Photo: Craig Golding

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On his way again ... Ponting was selected for the Australia team in 1997.

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Ricky Ponting hits out against Shaun Pollock of South Africa during the Boxing Day Test at the MCG in 1997.Photo: Joe Armao

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Scoring a century in 1997.Photo: Ken Irwin

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Answering questions in 1998 about an approach from a bookmaker at a greyhound race.Photo: Joe Armao

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In action in Brisbane against Pakistan in November 1999.Photo: Craig Golding

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Hitting a four during the fourth Test against the West Indies at the MCG in December 2000.Photo: Joe Armao

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Ricky Ponting blows a kiss to his wife Rianna as he scored a double century against India at Adelaide Oval in December 2003.Photo: Bryan Charlton

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Past and present ... then Australia captain Steve Waugh, right, and Ponting during the official presentation following Waugh's final Test match - the fourth Test against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground in January 2004.Photo: AP

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Ricky Ponting is all smiles after being appointed the new Australia Cricket captain.Photo: Michael Rayner

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Captaining Australia for the first time in a Test match, Ponting at the coin toss before the first Test between Australia and Sri Lanka in March 2004 in Galle, Sri Lanka.Photo: Getty Images